VA Hospital reveals monument for Purple Heart

February 24, 2013 12:36:37 AM PST

FRESNO, Calif. --

A permanent memorial is now in place honoring wounded combat veterans from the Central Valley.

A large crowd gathered Saturday for the unveiling of the Purple Heart monument at the Fresno Veterans Hospital. The Purple Heart is awarded to service members who are killed or wounded by enemy action.

Several recipients of all ages attended the ceremony.

The monument was dedicated in honor of 97 combat wounded warriors from the valley, including Devon Mathis, who survived a roadside bomb attack in Iraq in 2007.

Purple Heart recipient Devon Mathis said, "The support from the community...glad that I made it home to be a part of it."

Mathis says he's proud his sons will be able to see his name on the monument for years to come.